18 March 2019 Do Pianos Really Increase In Value?

Do Pianos Really Increase In Value?

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When you buy a piano, a lot of things go through your mind. You probably think things like:

Am I getting the best piano for my money?

Will this piano be good enough for my child to learn on?

How do I know if I’m getting the best deal?

Yep, for a lot of new piano players, the thoughts center around the financial aspect of buying a piano. But most new piano players don’t think about the investment opportunities for purchasing a piano. Do Pianos Really Increase In Value?

When you purchase an acoustic piano, it can be an investment, and it’s possible it will appreciate in value over time. 

How? 

Acoustic pianos – especially grand pianos – are built to stand the test of time. Many grand piano brands – Steinway, Bosendorfer, Chickering, Kimball – are well known in the industry, and build such high quality instruments that you can often sell them for the same or more then you paid for them. Of course, you have to understand the piano you’re buying in the first place. And that’s where a reputable dealer can help. 

When it comes to selling on the open market, it can be every piano player for themselves. Because a lot of newbies don’t understand the marketplace, they often try to bargain their way into a good deal. Because there are so many “free” pianos listed in ads and online, it’s hard to compete. Teaching a newbie is difficult at best. 

But if you have questions about making the best purchase for today, one that will offer years of playability plus give you an investment opportunity for the future, it could be the best purchase you’ve made in a long time. 

Whether you’re looking for a new piano, want to invest in a great used piano, or just have questions about caring for the piano you already have, we’re here to help. Give us a call today. 

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13 March 2019 What’s The Right Piano Model For Your Needs?

What’s The Right Piano Model For Your Needs?

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A piano is one of the oldest modern day instruments we use. Head back to the early 18th century; the pianoforte was developed as an update to the older harpsichord. It gave pianoforte players the ability to play notes at different volumes, thus creating more variety in the music played. 

Today’s pianos haven’t changed much over the past few decades. If you want to purchase a new piano for your home, acoustic pianos are a great way to help you produce beautiful sounds. But no matter what your goals and needs are for selecting a new instrument, you’ll have to make a few decisions before you can start making music. What’s The Right Piano Model For Your Needs?

New or Used

Pianos are one of the few instruments where you can select old or new, and receive a high quality instrument. If you know what to look for. Because acoustic pianos haven’t changed a lot in the twentieth century, you can find excellent used pianos that make a great addition to your home. Always look for a piano that properly cared for by the owner if you’re selecting a used one. By trusting a reputable dealer, you’ll ensure you’re buying the highest quality piano for your money. 

Acoustic vs Digital

Of course, modern day changes have allowed digital to change the way we play piano too. Digital pianos don’t use strings to create sound. Instead, digital pianos record the sounds from high quality acoustic pianos and use that to create a rich, full sound. If the convenience of digital suits your needs, be sure you listen to the sound. Does it sound like a piano, or can you hear a tinny, more electronic sound? 

Upright vs Grand

If you have your heart set on bringing an acoustic piano into your home, you’ll have to decide between an upright or a grand. An upright stands upright – it’s taller than it is wide, and is a great choice when space is a factor. A grand piano is larger, with its body lying parallel to the floor. You’ll often hear a grand piano referred to as a concert piano, as it’s the most common piano used in performances. 

In general, a grand piano has a more full bodied sound. Many homeowners dream of having a grand piano on display, and it can add beauty and ambiance to any music room. 

Which model is right for you?

When shopping, consider what you’re goals and needs are. Will you be playing regularly or once in a while? Will you be making an investment that will last you years to come, or are you willing to upgrade in just a few years? 

Not sure? Why not stop by and see our full selection of acoustic pianos, both upright and grand. We can help you make the right selection for your needs.  

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6 March 2019 7 Things To Keep In Mind If Buying a Piano For An Institution

7 Things To Keep In Mind If Buying a Piano For An Institution

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Are you purchasing a new piano for your church sanctuary? Or do you need a new performance piano for your theater? Looking to replace a piano for your graduate students? Or just need one for your beginning middle school students to start to play?

A lot goes into making the best selection for your needs. Chances are this is a purchase that will last for many years to come. How do you know you’re making the right purchase? 

Start With A Few Questions

Chances are you have some ideas for why you need a new piano. But if you haven’t put all of your needs to paper, do so before you start to shop. Who will be using the piano? How often will it be played? Will the piano stay in one location, or moved periodically from location to location? This will help define your needs. 7 Things To Keep In Mind If Buying a Piano For An Institution

Budget

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can start to see what your budget can afford. Don’t select the most “bells and whistles” for your money. Instead, focus on quality. If this piano will last for years – decades – ensure you make the right selection to provide years of quality playing. 

Grand or Upright?

Sometimes the choice is obvious – you only have so much room in your location. But sometimes the choice isn’t so obvious. In most cases, uprights are more for practice areas. They take up less space and provide more workspace for music and scores. Grand pianos are more often purchased for locations where players will be performing, and learning the importance of tonal quality and function. 

Piano Size

Carefully consider your space before making a final selection. This is where a reputable dealer can help the most. If you buy a piano that is too large, you can waste money by not gaining the voice and tone quality the piano is capable of producing. A piano that is too small won’t fill the space with the rich sound you expect. Be open to both vertical and grand piano options, because moving from one to another might be your best option. 

New or Used Piano

If an acoustic piano is well cared for, it can last for decades. Sometimes a used piano can get you the sound and quality you’re looking for. However, this isn’t the time to select one solely based on cost. A lot goes into pricing out used piano technology. A reputable dealer can help you make the right selection for your situation. 

Acoustic or Digital Piano

Digital pianos continue to offer higher quality with every new make and model produced. Depending on your needs, either acoustic or digital can make great additions to your institution. Keep in mind that while acoustic pianos can last 30, 40, 50 years or longer without a lot of restoration, digital pianos often require upgrading every few years to keep up with technology. 

Piano Maintenance

While acoustic pianos can last for decades, they do require maintenance to ensure they stay in top condition. Tuning and repair should be a part of your maintenance routine every year; set a schedule with your local tuner who will help you keep your piano in top condition. While digital pianos don’t require tuning or annual maintenance, they do often require more frequent updates to ensure they provide you with the technology available. 

Have more questions about which piano is right for you? We’re here to help. 

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28 February 2019 How Do You Know How Much To Pay For A Used Piano?

How Do You Know How Much To Pay For A Used Piano?

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Looking to bring a piano in your home? Sometimes your best choice is to find a good used piano. 

But how do you know how much it’s worth? 

Makes and models only go so far. You can’t always compare the same make and model together and expect to pay the same price. A lot goes into determining how much a used piano is worth. 

Of course, ultimately it depends on how much someone is willing to sell the piano for, and if they can find a buyer who is willing to pay the price. But how do you know the price you’re paying is fair? What makes a piano “good”? And is paying for one better than taking in a free model?How Do You Know How Much To Pay For A Used Piano?

Comparables – When you find what you think is a good deal, often the best place to start is by doing a little research. When comparing, you can start by taking in the make, model, and brand of the piano. You also have to consider things like age, condition, and location the piano has resided in throughout its life. It’s rare – almost impossible – to find two pianos with the same background. But by using an appraiser or a reputable dealer, you can determine the differences and make adjustments accordingly. 

Depreciation – Depending on the make and model, some pianos hold their value very well. If you can track ownership and location for the piano, some people prefer to take the original cost minus depreciation to calculate the used price. This valuation method can work well when standards are kept high, such as when the piano was kept in good condition in a theater or institution. 

Current Value – For some, the easiest way to value a piano is to determine what it would take to restore the piano to its original playability. If the piano is in good working order, has value based on its make and model, but in need of a little work, paying the difference can give you a fair price. This means you might have to perform a little renovation to bring it to proper working condition. But it can give you a great value for your money. 

Of course, finding the “diamond in the rough” is difficult for most consumers. That’s why trusting a reputable piano dealer can work in your favor. If you have a question about finding the right piano for you, we’re here to help. 

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18 February 2019 The Correct Way To Sit – It Makes All The Difference In Playing The Piano

The Correct Way To Sit – It Makes All The Difference In Playing The Piano

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Did you know there’s a proper way to sit? 

Sitting the wrong way can cause a variety of health problems, including heart disease, circulation disorders, strained neck, bad back, muscle degeneration … the list goes on and on. 

We’re just now starting to realize the impact sitting for long periods of time has on our physical body. But science is also discovering that it can impact other things too, such as your ability to play the piano. 

Slouching is bad. When you slouch at the piano, your shoulders are curved, your back is rounded, your head tilts down. It isn’t a pretty sight. The Correct Way To Sit - It Makes All The Difference In Playing The Piano

Now compare that to someone who sits up straight. They’re engaged. They are fun to watch. And they play better too. 

Remember the old adage: sit up straight? You may have heard that in school or even with your first piano instructors. Turns out that isn’t true. There’s more to it than sitting up straight. It’s about good posture first and foremost. 

If you “sit up straight”, you tend to puff out your chest, which also puts your back at risk. 

Instead, focus on sitting so your tailbone is properly aligned. Imagine a tail sweeping out and away from your body. Sit properly to ensure it’s comfortable. 

It’s not just about sitting. Your hand placement should also be placed in proper position. If they aren’t, your arms and hands will start to hurt, especially if you practice hours each day. This strain can lead to a variety of health problems. 

Good hand placement doesn’t just make you better at playing, it also impacts your tonal quality. The person who is hunched over can’t get the same power into the notes that someone sitting upright and fully extended. 

For proper hand placement, sit far enough away from the keyboard so the fingertips rest on the keys without effort. The feet should reach the pedals without stretching. Your fingers should naturally curve in toward your body, with your knuckles slightly curved away. The wrist should be relaxed. Your arm should never tense.

While this might feel unnatural at first, with practice, you’ll feel better, and play better too. 

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13 February 2019 How A Metronome Can Make You A Better Player

How A Metronome Can Make You A Better Player

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Have you ever heard a song that didn’t sound quite right? You couldn’t’ quite put your finger on it, but you knew something was wrong. 

The melody was off. Or maybe it was the harmony. 

Or maybe it was the rhythm. 

When comparing the three, rhythm is by far the one thing that can change the way you play than all the others. 

Why? Sit down and play music with no thought process about rhythm. Just pluck out the notes in a random order. 

Not much of a song, is it? How A Metronome Can Make You A Better Player

Rhythm controls tempo. It sets the speed. It also creates structure. 

Rhythm is the technical part of the song. Have you ever mentally walked through a song, practicing it in your mind before you sit down to play? The best piano players in the world do this continuously in their minds. They see themselves on stage. They hear their music in their minds. And what improves it all is to keep a regular beat. 

A metronome can help you keep that beat. 

Try an experiment. Set the metronome for your desired song. Before you sit down to play it, play it in your mind first, following the beat. See yourself playing it. Hear it in your mind. Hear the rhythm. Feel how you play it. 

Now sit down at the keyboard and play it for real. Do you notice it’s easier?

Also, try using a metronome when you’re first learning a song. Listen to the “tick tick” and adjust your playing to keep up with the beat. Play through difficult passages, playing again and again until you get it right. You can even use the visualization technique with the metronome keeping the beat. 

Do you notice a difference in your playing? 

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10 February 2019 When You Don’t Feel Like Practicing The Piano

When You Don’t Feel Like Practicing The Piano

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Have you ever put off practicing the piano? 

We’ve all done it. 

No matter how much you know you should sit down and play, the other side of you finds any excuse possible to ignore playing. 

Why is that? It might be because of the amount of practice you think you have to do. 

Do you assign yourself practice sessions in minutes – 30 minutes a day? That can drive bad feelings into the brain. Thirty minutes can seem like forever if you have other things you want to do. 

Or maybe you’ve assigned yourself specific tasks. Maybe you practice a certain amount of scales, or will be playing a song a certain amount of times through before you can get up. Again, these lists of “chores” can seem difficult at best, especially if you don’t particularly enjoy the process. When You Don’t Feel Like Practicing The Piano

Our brains are trained to keep us away from things we don’t like. Think of them as the friend that tries to steer you to only the enjoyable things in life. It’s up to us to control those urges, and keep us on track to do everything we need to do. 

When it comes to practicing, it might be easier if you give yourself rewards first. 

Instead of focusing on a time limit, sit down to play something you enjoy. A favorite song, or maybe even creating your own music. Once you’re sitting, you’ll have a much easier time of flowing into the next phase. 

Or instead of focusing on things you don’t like about practice – scales – leave that until the end. Your fingers will be more ready to take on the action, and it will seem like a part of the process rather than a chore when you sit down. 

Sometimes the easiest way to get started is just to sit down and do it. But give yourself a reward at first, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to the opportunity. 

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7 February 2019 We Have It All Wrong – 5 Reasons We Need Music In School

We Have It All Wrong – 5 Reasons We Need Music In School

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Most school districts around the country are facing tough decisions every year as they put together budgets. What should the keep? What should they give up?

For most districts, STEM classes have received two thumbs up. The arts – not so much. When school systems cut back, the music, dance, visual arts, and theater are the first to go. And that’s not a good thing. 

Music is important – for some kids, it’s the only reason they show up. Maybe it’s time to rethink what kids receive in instruction throughout the day. 

Music engages kidsWe Have It All Wrong - 5 Reasons We Need Music In School

For most STEM classes, the curriculum is one on many. The teacher talks, the students listen. And for many, the only way they’d describe these classes is – boring. When you weave in music programs, it allows kids to express themselves in lively ways. They participate. They show off their skills. They take part in creating something bigger than themselves. And if these classes help motivate them, they’ll be more likely to stay engaged in the STEM classes as well. 

Music builds self confidence

With music, kids get a sense of accomplishment every time they learn a new song. They can see their own skillset changing. They can feel better about themselves based on the music they are playing. They learn how to set goals and stick with them to improve along the way. 

Music builds imagination

Creativity is an important skill to have. It adds innovation into our society. But slowly, we’re taking away the activities that build our imagination skills up. Music allows kids to explore. The arts allow kids to get messy, express themselves through movement, and through the sounds that they make. Music develops the whole brain, both by listening and be using their skills to create their own sounds. 

Music improves academics

Studies consistently show that kids that engage in music do better in all subjects across the board. They rank higher on their SAT scores, and they are more likely to get into medical school. Music develops critical thinking skills in a way sports never will. 

Music teaches a lifelong skill

No other skill can provide enjoyment throughout your life as music can. And playing the piano is something virtually anyone can do. You can learn piano at any age, and perfect your skills a little at a time. With such a wide array of music available, you can be playing your favorites in a short period of time. 

Music benefits and engages us like no other. To create well-rounded children that can use their skills throughout their lives, add music to their lives today. 

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2 February 2019 Piano Playing Tip: An Easy Hack For Concentrating

Piano Playing Tip: An Easy Hack For Concentrating

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Have you ever noticed that sometimes practicing the piano seems like a mundane task, while other times it’s exciting and fresh? 

What’s the difference?

Some might tell you it’s your approach, or even what you’re practicing. And that can be part of it. 

But something much easier might be influencing your performance. It might be your hunger and hydration levels. 

Studies show that we have a more difficult time concentrating when we’re hungry or thirsty. Hydration itself plays a huge role in how productive we are throughout our days. 

Rather than jumping into your practice routine, spend a few minutes preparing for practice instead. 

Have a nutritious snack. Fruit, veggies, or a handful of nuts can do the trick. Piano Playing Tip: An Easy Hack For Concentrating

Then drink a glass of water for full hydration before you sit down. 

This isn’t something you should do once in a while. Top athletes know that hydration is everything. Those in the best physical condition will drink:

  • Up to 16 ounces of water 2 to 3 hours before a workout
  • Up to 8 ounces 15 minutes before a workout
  • Up to 4 ounces every 15 minutes throughout the workout

Though you might not think that playing the piano is the same as a strenuous workout, you’re still engaging the brain at high energy levels, so it’s important for it to have proper nutrients. 

Having trouble practicing the piano? It might not be your practice. It might be your hydration levels. Drink water first, and see how well it improves your playing. 

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29 January 2019 Should I Buy A Used Digital Piano  

Should I Buy A Used Digital Piano  

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You’ll often find used acoustic pianos for sale in your neighborhood, but what about digital pianos? Should you consider investing in a used digital piano if your child is just starting out?

While there’s always a concern that buying something used will cost you more money in the long run, the truth is a good used digital piano can help save you money. Of course, it depends on your goals and your needs. 

The most obvious reason to buy used is to save money. Used digital pianos can drop the price tag by 10 to 20 percent off of the new price. The more a piano is used, the more the price will likely drop. As new students progress and find they enjoy playing the piano, they often upgrade and trade in their starters. This can be a good deal for you, because more than likely the piano was well maintained. To evaluate a used digital piano, look at:

Should I Buy A Used Digital Piano  Condition:

Take a walk around the piano – does it look good on the outside? This can easily alert you to a neglected instrument. Every scratch or ding that’s visible alerts you to a possible problem with the way it will play. However, it’s equally important to assess the inner workings and functionality. You should test every key and make sure it feels and sounds satisfactory. 

Accessories:

Digital pianos come with all kinds of accessories. Does the price include AC adaptors, sustain pedals, music rests, or furniture stands? Also ensure you receive cords, cables, manuals, and software or CDs to be able to connect up and digitize your music after you bring your instrument home. 

Warranties:

All electronics run the risk of malfunctioning. That’s why all electronics come with a warranty to ensure you receive a high quality instrument. You might not receive full access to warranties if you buy online or from a private seller. Be sure you understand all of the benefits you are receiving before you hand over your credit card. 

Feel like you’re getting a great deal? You can always do a quick search online. A reputable dealer will ensure you get a competitive price, and ensure that you’ll be comfortable with your purchase after you bring it home. 

Are you ready to invest in a digital piano for your home?

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